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Nearly one in two working women in Jakarta experiences insomnia, according to a study conducted by Felia Endah Sari and Joice Viladelvia Kalumpiu of Universitas Trisakti. The research analyzed female employees from the financial sector during September–October 2018 and was published in the Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA) in 2026. While the study did not find a statistically significant relationship between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) severity and insomnia, women with severe PMS showed almost five times greater odds of experiencing insomnia, underscoring an important occupational health concern.
Sleep disorders have become a growing public health issue worldwide. Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, affects millions of adults and has been linked to reduced productivity, impaired concentration, weakened immunity, and an increased risk of mental health problems. Women are particularly vulnerable because hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle influence sleep regulation. Among reproductive-age women, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) has long been recognized as one of the conditions most likely to disrupt sleep quality.
Despite growing international evidence on the biological connection between PMS and sleep disturbance, research involving Indonesian working women has remained limited. The Universitas Trisakti research team addressed this gap by examining whether PMS severity and age were associated with insomnia among female employees working in Jakarta's financial industry. The findings provide new evidence that can support workplace wellness initiatives and women's health programs in Indonesia.
A Simple Study of Working Women's Health
The researchers used a cross-sectional observational design, meaning all information was collected at a single point in time. The study involved 62 full-time female employees from PT Mega Capital Sekuritas and PT Mega Capital Investama in Jakarta.
Participants were between 18 and 45 years old, had regular menstrual cycles, and met several health criteria designed to minimize factors that could independently affect sleep quality. Each participant completed:
- A demographic questionnaire.
- A validated questionnaire measuring PMS severity.
- The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), an internationally recognized tool used to evaluate insomnia symptoms.
The researchers then compared PMS severity and age with insomnia using statistical analysis appropriate for the sample size.
Key Findings
Several important findings emerged from the analysis:
- 85.5% of participants were aged 18–35 years.
- Every participant (100%) reported experiencing some level of PMS symptoms.
- 51.6% experienced moderate PMS, while 40.3% had mild symptoms.
- Only 7.7% experienced severe or very severe PMS.
- 48.4% of participants met the criteria for insomnia.
- Most insomnia cases were classified as mild, while no severe insomnia cases were identified.
The statistical analysis found:
- No significant relationship between age and insomnia (p = 1.000).
- No statistically significant relationship between PMS severity and insomnia (p = 0.189).
However, another result attracted the researchers' attention. Women experiencing severe or very severe PMS had an odds ratio (OR) of 4.77, meaning they were almost five times more likely to experience insomnia than women with mild or moderate PMS. Because only five participants belonged to the severe PMS group, the sample was too small to produce statistically conclusive evidence.
Why the Findings Still Matter
Although the association was not statistically significant, the researchers emphasize that the clinical trend should not be ignored.
Nearly half of the surveyed employees experienced insomnia, a prevalence considerably higher than estimates for the general population. According to the discussion presented in the study, financial-sector employees often face demanding workloads, psychological stress, and the challenge of balancing professional responsibilities with domestic roles. Combined with hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, these factors may contribute to poorer sleep quality among working women.
The authors also explain that biological mechanisms may help explain the observed pattern. Hormonal changes before menstruation can alter serotonin production, affect the neurosteroid allopregnanolone, and disrupt the body's circadian rhythm, all of which influence sleep regulation. Previous international studies cited in the paper have reported similar physiological pathways linking severe PMS with insomnia symptoms.
Implications for Employers and Public Health
The findings have practical implications beyond academic research.
Employers may benefit from incorporating sleep health assessments and PMS screening into workplace health programs, particularly for women of reproductive age. Early identification of sleep problems may improve employee well-being, reduce fatigue, and support workplace productivity.
Healthcare providers may also consider discussing sleep quality during routine reproductive health consultations, especially for women reporting severe premenstrual symptoms. Even though additional research is needed, recognizing potential sleep disturbances before they become chronic could improve quality of life.
The study also recommends future research using larger participant groups, longer observation periods across multiple menstrual cycles, and objective sleep measurement tools such as actigraphy or polysomnography. These approaches would provide stronger evidence regarding the relationship between PMS severity and insomnia.
Researchers' Perspective
Felia Endah Sari and Joice Viladelvia Kalumpiu of Universitas Trisakti conclude that while no statistically significant association was demonstrated, the 48.4% prevalence of insomnia and the 4.77 odds ratio among women with severe PMS represent clinically meaningful signals that deserve further investigation. They also recommend integrating sleep and premenstrual symptom screening into occupational health programs as an early detection strategy for working women.
Author Profiles
Felia Endah Sari is a researcher from Universitas Trisakti whose work focuses on women's health and public health research.
Joice Viladelvia Kalumpiu is a researcher and corresponding author at Universitas Trisakti, specializing in clinical research, women's health, and occupational health.
Source
Article Title: Premenstrual Syndrome Severity and Insomnia Risk in Indonesia Working Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis
Authors: Felia Endah Sari; Joice Viladelvia Kalumpiu
University: Universitas Trisakti
Journal: Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), Vol. 6, No. 8
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v6i8.111
URL : https://journalmudima.my.id/index.php/mudima
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